This military trail crossed over the limestone bridge, traversing the freshwater creek flowing from the Everglades to Biscayne Bay.

In 1895, Henry Flagler's railroad reached Arch Creek as it expanded southward, bringing a steady stream of visitors and settlers, largely from east coast states.

"Dad" Wiggins, the self-proclaimed best barbecue chef in Florida, would start slow-cooking large amounts of meat and families would bring baked goods, side dishes and desserts while kids played along the banks of the creek.

By 1912, the community included eighteen homes, a church, a general store, a blacksmith shop, and two tomato-packing houses.

Protests from members of the local Audubon Society, the Historical Association of Southern Florida and the Dade Conservation Council prevented any of this destructive action.

In 1972, Chrysler requested a zoning change from the City of North Miami, which would have allowed them to pave the area and build a garage on the property.

A group of local citizens, who later formed the Arch Creek Trust, went to Tallahassee in February 1973, to finalize the agreement.

Nothing suggestive of sabotage was discovered, and experts generally agreed later that the fall was probably due to constant vibrations from passing trains, or erosion, or just old age and decay.

[3] In 1978 Dade County leased the land from the State of Florida and began making plans to turn it into a passive recreation facility.

It has a museum/nature center modeled after an early Florida pioneer home, displaying Indian artifacts dug from the grounds, and live animals from the nearby hammock.

Remains of the original coontie mill are still visible across the creek, and the Park exists as the only preserved archaeological site in the County.

Guided trail walks are held on the weekends, and many Miami-Dade County students visit on a regular basis.